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While this is partly to test for an internet connection, OneDrive data seemed to be transmitted even when the feature is not active, said Ars Technica.

Data sent and requested from Microsoft to its OneDrive cloud storage service has a user ID attached,The Guardian reported.

The experts used a local login to Windows 10 rather than a Microsoft account and had every privacy protecting setting switched on.

'Windows 10 seems to transmit information to the server even when OneDrive is disabled,' Peter Bright writes.

There was outrage two weeks ago when Microsoft updated a privacy statement shortly after Windows 10 launched, saying it can collect users' information from private emails, address books and other files (illustrated with a stock image)

'...The exact nature of the information being sent isn't clear - it appears to be referencing telemetry settings -and again, it's not clear why any data is being sent at all. '

He noted that while some of the traffic looks harmless, it probably shouldn't be happening.

For example, despite disabling live tiles on the system's home page, the researchers still found Windows 10 downloaded information from its MSN news service.

While the request had no identifiable information in it, it was not encrypted.

WHAT'S NEW IN WINDOWS 10

Microsoft's new operating system runs on the 'broadest types of devices ever'.

It comes with Cortana and the personal assistant app will run on the desktop.

It merges various app stores into one platform, called the One Store.

Microsoft has brought back the Start Menu, which was removed from Windows 8.

And users can create multiple desktops to keep things organised.

A Microsoft spokesman told MailOnline: 'As part of delivering Windows 10 as a service, updates may be delivered to provide ongoing new features to Bing search, such as new visual layouts, styles and search code.

'No query or search usage data is sent to Microsoft, in accordance with the customer's chosen privacy settings.

'This also applies to searching offline for items such as apps, files and settings on the device.'

However, the test is likely to add to privacy watchdogs' concerns that Windows 10 is 'bad news for privacy'.

There was outrage when Microsoft updated a privacy statement shortly after Windows 10 launched, saying it can collect users' information from private emails, address books and other files.

The tech giant is also said to save Bing search queries and conversations with Cortana, as well as lists of which websites and apps users visit and the contents of private emails and files, as well as their handwriting.

The privacy statement said 'your typed and handwritten words are collected'.

The policy adds that Microsoft collects information about a user's speech and handwriting to 'help improve and personalise our ability to correctly recognise your input,' while information from their contacts book is used, such as names and calendar events 'to better recognise people and events when you dictate messages or documents'.

Cortana, for example, makes use of information about who a user calls on their phone, plus data from their emails and texts, calendar and contacts, as well as their web history and location.

Microsoft says that data is collected to provide users with a more personalised service and better character recognition, for example, but may also be used for targeted adverting, meaning it may share information with third parties.

Data sent and requested from Microsoft to its OneDrive cloud storage service (pictured), has a user ID attached, according to Arc Technica's tests

HOW TO OPT OUT OF SERVICES

Microsoft's privacy statement came into effect from August 1.

Its 45-page services agreement outlines personal data it looks at and how its different products such as Bing and Cortana use it.

RockPaperShotgun has outlined exactly how to stop a computer sharing information with Microsoft, but warns that some of Windows 10's new features will be disabled.

There are instructions how to shut off Cortana - the personal assistant - as well as personalised adverts.

Users can visit an external website and turn off the personalised ad options, for example.

The company assigns each of its users a unique advertising ID so it does not reveal what they 'say in email, chat, video calls or voice mail, or your documents, photos or other personal files to target ads to you.'

But it has still come under fire from privacy campaigners. Online privacy pressure group, European Digital Rights (EDRi) told The Times that Microsoft's policy was 'not only bad news for privacy. Your free speech rights can also be violated on an ad hoc basis.'

Microsoft 'basically grants itself very broad rights to collect everything you do, say and write with on your devices in order to sell more targeted advertising or to sell your data to third parties.'

Kirsten Fiedler, EDRi's Managing Director told MailOnline: 'Unlike Microsoft's promise, the company's new 45 page-long terms of service are not straightforward at all.

'Online companies should finally start explaining their terms in an understandable manner so that we can make informed choices about the services we want to use. '

A spokesman for Microsoft said: 'Windows does not collect personal information without your consent.